Eastern Phoebe

Caught flies and things a little bird told me. Concerns, news, wonders, grit to grind. A writer loose in the world.

[phoebebakerhyde]

Here’s the cover. Congrats Andrea!

[phoebebakerhyde]

Dear Santa:

Hot off the presses! My fellow fictionista has a picture book out today: 

http://amzn.to/1PGJP5g

Perfect for all the kids on your not-exactly-Christmas-list.

[phoebebakerhyde]

Ten page day

Wrapping up the first day of an “at-home writer’s retreat.” Husband minds 3 kids for 3 weekdays, I write 9-7 no interruptions. Everyone gains empathy, changes scene, hones skill sets (wearing a baby bjorn in the pool; buying two cafe for meals for under $15.) Everyone wins, except baby who napped all day and is ready to party all night. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.  

[phoebebakerhyde]

Masterplan

Forty sheets of paper, four highlighters and one roll of scotch tape = the outline of a shortish, not overly complicated novel. Imagine the organizational mock-up  for  the more complicated favorites: John Irving, Dickens. It's a satisfying process to cut apart a first draft and massage it into shape.  Gardens, children and relationships rebel against too much masterminding; life meanders away and doubles back. But a work of fiction needs (requires?) someone standing in the attic of insanity, rubbing her hands together with glee.  

[nativeamericannews]

Doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, red or yellow, it’s about human rights. 

[nativeamericannews]

[phoebebakerhyde]

Another beautiful and symbolic textile from nativeamericannews:

What is Navajo Four Directional Yeis Rug? http://bit.ly/16XPAqn

[phoebebakerhyde]

WNBA panel at Ma Librarian's Conference. From Left: Me,  Nancy Rubin Stewart (Defiant Brides, biography); JoAnn Hart (Float, novel); Henriette Lazaridis Powers, moderator (The Clover House, novel).

[phoebebakerhyde]

Love your Librarian today! Yesterday I went to the MA Librarians' Conference and spokeI on a panel about book groups sponsored by Women's National Book Association. These librarians are amazing, they know and love books, they know and understand readers, they curate collections that busy people don't have time to research ("if you liked this book you'll love this one...")and they're doing everything they can to keep conversations about literature, storytelling and learning alive and local in this isolating digital age. Go check out what's happening at your public library today!

[textless]

[phoebebakerhyde]

Some red to help convince us it's spring.

[hitrecordjoe]

[humanrightswatch]

US: Teens in Solitary Confinement

Please take a moment to watch this video.

To learn more, please visit the ACLU’s page dedicated to this important issue.

Check out the collaborative video between HRW and the ACLU, and our work on this issue.

[phoebebakerhyde]

I think  that  recognition of the abuses in our penal system is spreading among those of us without first hand experience. I hope. 

 Massachusetts residents, consider showing up for the  Jobs not Jails rally April 26.

 http://jobsnotjails.org/jnj/

[exitnetwork-deactivated20200414]

Beata Chrzanowska

[phoebebakerhyde]

I like the intensity here. 

[phoebebakerhyde]

The feet of people walking home


With gayer sandals go-
The Crocus-till she rises


The Vassal of the snow-
The lips at Hallelujah


Long years of practise bore


Till bye and bye these Bargemen


Walked singing on the shore.

(Line breaks woefully incorrect, apologies, I have to run!)

Pearls are the Diver’s farthings


Extorted from the sea-
Pinions-the Seraph’s wagon


Pedestrian once-as we-


Night is the morning’s Canvas


Larceny-legacy-
Death, but our rapt attention


To Immortality.

  My figures fail to tel me


How far the Village lies-


Whose peasants are the Angels-


Whose Cantons dot the skies-


My Classics veil their faces-
My faith that Dark adores-
Which from its solemn abbeys


Such resurrection pours.

Emily Dickinson, 1858–#7

[phoebebakerhyde]

Reason for Gratitude #3: a visit with the budding activists in Chris Bobel's Gender Studies class yesterday. Thank you all for teaching me. I can't wait to live in the world you are making.

[nativeamericannews]

[phoebebakerhyde]

 An Aha moment about Native American textiles, brought to you by nativeamericannews:

Those interesting designs and patterns that you see on jewelries, potteries, clothing, weavings, and all kinds of ornaments are not just there for aesthetic purposes. Much of them are Native American symbols that have meanings and interpretations. Read more http://bit.ly/WCWIPC

[phoebebakerhyde]

 Friday's visual poem:

 The Snowman, by Wallace Stevens (1879-1955)

[phoebebakerhyde]

"Your ovaries feel very average."

--Dr. J at annual visit.

Reason for Gratitude and Optimism #4 

[phoebebakerhyde]

Reason for Gratitude and Optimism #3